Published: Friday, August 8, 2014 at 7:07 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, August 8, 2014 at 7:07 p.m.

Serbian-born Milan Ristic earned All-American honors in hurdling at UNC Asheville and now again in his final year at the University of California in Berkeley.

He holds nine records at UNC Asheville and the 60-meter hurdles record at Berkeley, and he's also the Serbian national record holder in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.67 seconds. He dreams of competing in the 2016 Olympics for his home country of Serbia, but there's one hurdle he hasn't been able to clear — finances.

“I've been invited to attend a track camp at the World Athletics Center in Arizona and to also be based there a year prior to the Olympic Games,” Ristic said. “I was so excited. Just the thought about going there was incredible to me, since the world record holder in the 110-meter hurdles, Aries Merritt of USA, will be working out there as well.”

Then, Ristic's plans hit a major snag.

“I was pursuing a partnership with an agency, but we have fallen out of contact. So, I have decided to act in my own behalf, because this is something I really want and think I can achieve,” Ristic said.

The agency was going to line up sponsorships to take care of the expenses for Ristic to attend the camp at the WAC.

“Now that I have nobody to help me financing those expenses, I'm having to do it on my own,” he said.

Ristic, who is married to former West Henderson High volleyball and track standout Meredith Foster, is set to graduate from UC Berkeley in December.

“I have decided to keep training after graduation and move to Phoenix, Ariz., to be a part of the WAC,” Ristic said.

In order to do so, he's still needing quite a bit of money — $6,500 to be exact. He's set up a website to try to raise funds, and its address is https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/milan-ristic-olympic-games-rio-2016/x/8354020. Donations can be made on that website, and to date, donations total $205.

His Facebook fan page is facebook.com/milanristic110, and his email is milanristic110@yahoo.com.

“It would really mean a lot to me, and I believe this would allow me to make it to the next level and realize my dream,” Ristic said.

<p>Serbian-born Milan Ristic earned All-American honors in hurdling at UNC Asheville and now again in his final year at the University of California in Berkeley.</p><p>He holds nine records at UNC Asheville and the 60-meter hurdles record at Berkeley, and he's also the Serbian national record holder in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.67 seconds. He dreams of competing in the 2016 Olympics for his home country of Serbia, but there's one hurdle he hasn't been able to clear — finances.</p><p>“I've been invited to attend a track camp at the World Athletics Center in Arizona and to also be based there a year prior to the Olympic Games,” Ristic said. “I was so excited. Just the thought about going there was incredible to me, since the world record holder in the 110-meter hurdles, Aries Merritt of USA, will be working out there as well.”</p><p>Then, Ristic's plans hit a major snag.</p><p>“I was pursuing a partnership with an agency, but we have fallen out of contact. So, I have decided to act in my own behalf, because this is something I really want and think I can achieve,” Ristic said.</p><p>The agency was going to line up sponsorships to take care of the expenses for Ristic to attend the camp at the WAC.</p><p>“Now that I have nobody to help me financing those expenses, I'm having to do it on my own,” he said.</p><p>Ristic, who is married to former West Henderson High volleyball and track standout Meredith Foster, is set to graduate from UC Berkeley in December.</p><p>“I have decided to keep training after graduation and move to Phoenix, Ariz., to be a part of the WAC,” Ristic said.</p><p>In order to do so, he's still needing quite a bit of money — $6,500 to be exact. He's set up a website to try to raise funds, and its address is https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/milan-ristic-olympic-games-rio-2016/x/8354020. Donations can be made on that website, and to date, donations total $205. </p><p>His Facebook fan page is facebook.com/milanristic110, and his email is milanristic110@yahoo.com.</p><p>“It would really mean a lot to me, and I believe this would allow me to make it to the next level and realize my dream,” Ristic said.</p><p>___</p><p>Reach Hensley at Dean.Hensley@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7868.</p><p>___</p><p>Follow Dean Hensley on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BRNDean</p>